Youth Ministry at Home Lesson

Beat That!

Every once in a while, we find ourselves in situations where we face a challenge that we are not supposed to win. Because of someone’s intentional design we will be defeated. No matter what we try, we are just not going to be successful.

It makes it that much more satisfying, then, when we see someone who can take that situation and turn it into a victory. There is a certain sense of joy that comes from seeing something that was intended to cause defeat or destruction, turned around on the person who intended the harm and cause their defeat instead. It’s why we like to cheer for the underdog, to hear their stories, and to watch movies about them.

We see this in the Bible, too. In 1 Samuel, David cuts off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s sword. In Esther, Haman and all of his genocidal desires die on the same gallows he built for Esther’s uncle, Mordecai.

One of our peculiar joys as believers is the opportunity to turn the enemy’s plots and weapons against him. In sin and affliction, we take the “fiery darts” the devil throws at us — such as fear, anger, doubt, shame — and we turn them back on the evil one by running to the cross and declaring Christ’s victory is all sufficient.

In fear, we can declare and glory in Jesus’ absolute authority. In doubt, we can celebrate the magnitude of His love. In shame, we can reach out for His forgiveness. The apostle Paul knows the secret of this peculiar satisfaction and points it out in his second letter to the Corinthians.

The enemy is not smart. He’s looking for easy targets. He’s less likely to bother someone who’s learned to turn everything to the praise of Christ. So may we keep this in mind as we face these challenges from Satan, remembering that despite our weakness we are strong, through Jesus’ death and resurrection we will be victorious and instead Satan is defeated.